adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had been set a task in which he had failed.
abstractedlyadverb
in an absentminded or preoccupied manner
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
Achmet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AGAINST THE HOUR OF MIDNIGHT Achmet the Ropemaker was ill at ease.
AGAINSTprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading AGAINST THE HOUR OF MIDNIGHT Achmet the Ropemaker was ill at ease.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The bright Cairene sun starkly glittering on the French chandeliers and Viennese mirrors, and beating on the brass trays and braziers by the window, irritated him.
anxiouslyadverbUS /ˈæŋkʃəsli/
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AGAINST THE HOUR OF MIDNIGHT Achmet the Ropemaker was ill at ease.
beatingnounUS /ˈbiːtɪŋ/
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading The bright Cairene sun starkly glittering on the French chandeliers and Viennese mirrors, and beating on the brass trays and braziers by the window, irritated him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been set a task in which he had failed.
bottomnounUS /ˈbɑːtəm/
the lower side of anything
From this reading Presently he straightened himself up, and his fingers ran down the front of his coat to make sure that it was buttoned from top to bottom.
brassnounUS /bræs/
an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading The bright Cairene sun starkly glittering on the French chandeliers and Viennese mirrors, and beating on the brass trays and braziers by the window, irritated him.
braziersnounUS /ˈbreɪʒərz/
plural of “brazier” — large metal container in which coal or charcoal is burned; warms people who must stay outside for long times
From this reading The bright Cairene sun starkly glittering on the French chandeliers and Viennese mirrors, and beating on the brass trays and braziers by the window, irritated him.
brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The bright Cairene sun starkly glittering on the French chandeliers and Viennese mirrors, and beating on the brass trays and braziers by the window, irritated him.
buttonedadjectiveUS /ˈbʌtənd/
furnished or closed with buttons or something buttonlike
From this reading Presently he straightened himself up, and his fingers ran down the front of his coat to make sure that it was buttoned from top to bottom.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The bright Cairene sun starkly glittering on the French chandeliers and Viennese mirrors, and beating on the brass trays and braziers by the window, irritated him.
cadaverousadjective
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
Cairenenoun
a native or inhabitant of Cairo
From this reading The bright Cairene sun starkly glittering on the French chandeliers and Viennese mirrors, and beating on the brass trays and braziers by the window, irritated him.
chandeliersnounUS /ˌʃændəˈlɪz/
plural of “chandelier” — branched lighting fixture; often ornate; hangs from the ceiling
From this reading The bright Cairene sun starkly glittering on the French chandeliers and Viennese mirrors, and beating on the brass trays and braziers by the window, irritated him.
cheeknounUS /tʃiːk/
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
coatnounUS /koʊt/
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading Presently he straightened himself up, and his fingers ran down the front of his coat to make sure that it was buttoned from top to bottom.
cryingadjectiveUS /ˈkraɪɪŋ/
demanding attention
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Presently he straightened himself up, and his fingers ran down the front of his coat to make sure that it was buttoned from top to bottom.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
easeverbUS /iːz/
move gently or carefully
From this reading AGAINST THE HOUR OF MIDNIGHT Achmet the Ropemaker was ill at ease.
failedverbUS /feɪld/
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading He had been set a task in which he had failed.
fingersnounUS /ˈfɪŋɡərz/
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
fliesnounUS /flaɪz/
(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
footstepnounUS /ˈfʊtstep/
the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading The bright Cairene sun starkly glittering on the French chandeliers and Viennese mirrors, and beating on the brass trays and braziers by the window, irritated him.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Presently he straightened himself up, and his fingers ran down the front of his coat to make sure that it was buttoned from top to bottom.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Presently he straightened himself up, and his fingers ran down the front of his coat to make sure that it was buttoned from top to bottom.
glitteringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading The bright Cairene sun starkly glittering on the French chandeliers and Viennese mirrors, and beating on the brass trays and braziers by the window, irritated him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had been set a task in which he had failed.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had been set a task in which he had failed.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The bright Cairene sun starkly glittering on the French chandeliers and Viennese mirrors, and beating on the brass trays and braziers by the window, irritated him.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Presently he straightened himself up, and his fingers ran down the front of his coat to make sure that it was buttoned from top to bottom.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
HOURnounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading AGAINST THE HOUR OF MIDNIGHT Achmet the Ropemaker was ill at ease.
illadjectiveUS /ɪl/
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading AGAINST THE HOUR OF MIDNIGHT Achmet the Ropemaker was ill at ease.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had been set a task in which he had failed.
irritatedadjectiveUS /ˈɪrəteɪtəd/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading The bright Cairene sun starkly glittering on the French chandeliers and Viennese mirrors, and beating on the brass trays and braziers by the window, irritated him.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Presently he straightened himself up, and his fingers ran down the front of his coat to make sure that it was buttoned from top to bottom.
leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
listenedverbUS /ˈlɪsənd/
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading Presently he straightened himself up, and his fingers ran down the front of his coat to make sure that it was buttoned from top to bottom.
MIDNIGHTnounUS /ˈmɪdnaɪt/
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading AGAINST THE HOUR OF MIDNIGHT Achmet the Ropemaker was ill at ease.
mirrorsnounUS /ˈmɪrərz/
plural of “mirror” — polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading The bright Cairene sun starkly glittering on the French chandeliers and Viennese mirrors, and beating on the brass trays and braziers by the window, irritated him.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AGAINST THE HOUR OF MIDNIGHT Achmet the Ropemaker was ill at ease.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The bright Cairene sun starkly glittering on the French chandeliers and Viennese mirrors, and beating on the brass trays and braziers by the window, irritated him.
PalacenounUS /ˈpæləs/
a large and stately mansion
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
peripateticnounUS /ˌperəpəˈtetɪk/
a person who walks from place to place
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
PresentlyadverbUS /ˈprezəntli/
in the near future
From this reading Presently he straightened himself up, and his fingers ran down the front of his coat to make sure that it was buttoned from top to bottom.
ranverbUS /ræn/
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Presently he straightened himself up, and his fingers ran down the front of his coat to make sure that it was buttoned from top to bottom.
Ropemakernoun
a craftsman who makes ropes
From this reading AGAINST THE HOUR OF MIDNIGHT Achmet the Ropemaker was ill at ease.
salesmennounUS /ˈseɪlzmɪn/
plural of “salesman” — a man salesperson
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He had been set a task in which he had failed.
starklyadverbUS /ˈstɑːrkli/
in a stark manner
From this reading The bright Cairene sun starkly glittering on the French chandeliers and Viennese mirrors, and beating on the brass trays and braziers by the window, irritated him.
straightenedverbUS /ˈstreɪtənd/
past form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight
From this reading Presently he straightened himself up, and his fingers ran down the front of his coat to make sure that it was buttoned from top to bottom.
streetsnounUS /striːts/
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
strokedverbUS /stroʊkt/
past form of “stroke” — touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
sunnounUS /sʌn/
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The bright Cairene sun starkly glittering on the French chandeliers and Viennese mirrors, and beating on the brass trays and braziers by the window, irritated him.
sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Presently he straightened himself up, and his fingers ran down the front of his coat to make sure that it was buttoned from top to bottom.
tasknounUS /tæsk/
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading He had been set a task in which he had failed.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Presently he straightened himself up, and his fingers ran down the front of his coat to make sure that it was buttoned from top to bottom.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AGAINST THE HOUR OF MIDNIGHT Achmet the Ropemaker was ill at ease.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
topnounUS /tɑːp/
the upper part of anything
From this reading Presently he straightened himself up, and his fingers ran down the front of his coat to make sure that it was buttoned from top to bottom.
traysnounUS /treɪz/
plural of “tray” — an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food
From this reading The bright Cairene sun starkly glittering on the French chandeliers and Viennese mirrors, and beating on the brass trays and braziers by the window, irritated him.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Presently he straightened himself up, and his fingers ran down the front of his coat to make sure that it was buttoned from top to bottom.
VienneseadjectiveUS /viˈeniːs/
of or relating to or characteristic of Vienna or its inhabitants
From this reading The bright Cairene sun starkly glittering on the French chandeliers and Viennese mirrors, and beating on the brass trays and braziers by the window, irritated him.
wallnounUS /wɔːl/
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
waresnounUS /werz/
plural of “ware” — articles of the same kind or material; usually used in combination: “silverware”, “software”
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AGAINST THE HOUR OF MIDNIGHT Achmet the Ropemaker was ill at ease.
watchedverbUS /wɑːtʃt/
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had been set a task in which he had failed.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The bright Cairene sun starkly glittering on the French chandeliers and Viennese mirrors, and beating on the brass trays and braziers by the window, irritated him.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
yellowadjectiveUS /ˈjeloʊ/
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading He watched the flies on the wall abstractedly; he listened to the early peripatetic salesmen crying their wares in the streets leading to the Palace; he stroked his cadaverous cheek with yellow fingers; he listened anxiously for a footstep.
